The sun is shining in the sky, the ocean is sweeping the bank with calm and gentle waves. It sweeps back a red mass; first small but then lots of it comes streaming back. In the distance, a harmony of sirens are wailing, there is a crowd gathered and there is blood splattered on the bank. There are bodies sprawled across the beach. The medic team is loading the bodies into their trucks. There are pressmen trying to interview police men and witnesses, but no one seems to know more than the lifeless bodies. The area is still filled with curiosity and in the air everyone could smell the ocean and blood, whilst the cold wind blows through them. The storm is come.
One Week Ago
The cold wind danced rhythmically carrying the sand along in it, the sun stood still, smiling down on the inhabitants of the universe. Seun smiled on the sight of the birds in the sky flying in array, the air felt so cold despite the sun. He wondered how the birds could withstand the cold way up there.
"Seun!" A voice called snapping him from his thoughts
"Yeah?" He answered
"Aren't you going for the bonfire night at Ben's beach house?" Ronke, Seun's sister asked smiling
"I don't want to."
"Why?"
"Benita is going to be there."
"Oh!"
"Yeah." he sighed staring into the sky.
Benita was his girlfriend but she was also Dapo's lover. When he discovered their dirty little secret, he felt nauseous, he could hardly think straight. He felt like his whole world came crashing down. Since she was also Ben's friend, he stayed away from his parties just to avoid her. He was not over that betrayal, he hadn't spoken to Dapo since then. Seun gripped the wall tightly and looked far down the foggy parts of town. He loved Ronke's house, her windows had the best view of the town and it cost her a lot of money to acquire.
"But you shouldn't let that shameless girl ruin your life." she said calmly
Seun smiled, walked away from the window and sat on one of the sofas in the very spacious room.
"I loved her a lot Ronnie," he said, already feeling the tears welling up in hi da eyes
"I know," she said walking towards him
"you have a whole life ahead of you, don't let the shameless hag ruin it for you." she said sweetly smiling.
He smiled back calmed already.
The weekend party would elapse in two days, he guessed he could avoid her for two days. He hadn't been at any of Ben's parties and he was starting to think Seun hated him. Just this morning when Seun waved at Ben, he kept walking like he couldn't see nor hear him.
"Weird," Seun thought "maybe he didn't see me."
But there was no way Ben didn't see him, Seun guessed it was because he no longer attended his parties, he had missed his birthday bash because of the whole Dapo and Benita saga. He had to attend this party or Ben would start developing hatred for him.
Seun walked into the airport terminal, and almost immediately saw Ben standing there with the whole crew. He took a deep breath and walked towards them.
"Hey Ben," Seun greeted smiling "Got room for one more?"
Ben looked at him for a while and bursted into a radiant smile.
"Sure thing bud," Ben said pulling Seun into a warm embrace
"Party animal," Debby teased
He smiled and also hugged her.
"Been a while," Seun whispered in her ears
"Yeah," she whispered back
"This weekend is gonna be lit!"Debby shrieked when she pulled out of the hug.
The plane landed and they were in the famous Lagos. Seun surveyed the area. The airport terminal was crowded with people.
"Stay close, our ride is outside." Ben said before going back to his phone.
They walked through check points and out of the terminal. A driver waved at Ben, who in turn waved back.
" Get your luggages out of the car!" Ben yelled after them as they were excited on seeing the enormous and elegant beach house. It was situated close to the ocean . It looked more of a condo to Seun and not a beach house. He hurriedly packed his baggage and strolled into the house.
The aroma of Jollof rice from probably the kitchen mixed with the pleasant smell from the air freshener hit him.
"Now this is a house," Seun sighed in relief.
The air was cool, the stars dazzled as bright as they could while the moon watched over the bright sky. The creatures of the air had gone back to their nests, Seun felt some kind of relief from all his worries. A bright light spotted his face, it was Ben.
He was watching the waves and saw a figure by the window when he looked towards the house, that's when he used the flashlight to trace the figure.
"Hey," Seun smiled nervously
"What are you doing?" Ben asked still pointing the flashlight at his face "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"I can't sleep."
"Oh!" He scratched his head "Come stay out here with me then."
"Alright," Seun said and dashed out of the house.
The door opened revealing Seun.
"God!" Ben gasped when he saw Seun's perfectly lit smile.
He was on shorts and a faded blue armless shirt, his brown eyes sparkled on the starlit beach. He sat on the sand and flashed another smile at me, who would've guessed that they were once lovers. So they sat there in brief silence - ex lovers, staring deep into the ocean occasionally stealing glances at each other.
"How is Ronke?" Ben said trying to break the silence and awkwardness
"She's alright, " Seun said now staring at the sky.
Ben looked to the other side of the beach.
Benita was supposed to be the cover so no one suspected them, but then Seun fell in love with her. Then he heard Benita was having an affair with Dapo and it felt good seeing Seun get hurt from the revelation, now he could experience the taste of his own medicine. After the breakup Seun started avoiding Ben - of course it hurt, but now here he was, sitting next to Ben watching the waves in silence.
